Cherry, Black - Prunus serotina

At Native Forest Nursery we grow bare root seedlings and #3 container trees. Our
container trees are grown in a #3 air pruned pot. This root making container
eliminates nearly all potential for root wrapping. This allows for an excellent
root structure and delivers an extremely healthy tree. The bare root seedlings at
our nursery are grown in a sandy loam soil with high organic matter content, which
provides an extremely healthy environment for our seedlings. Our bare root liners and
seedlings are hand lifted, packaged, and kept in cold storage until you are ready to
plant. Conservation uses for our products include reclamation, mitigation,
reforestation, restoration, wildlife habitat improvement and wetland uses.
Horticultural uses for our products include field liners, container liners, landscape
plantings, budding stock, grafting stock and ornamental uses.

Family:

Rosaceae

Latin Name:

Prunus serotina

Foliage:

Dark green

Fall Foliage:

Yellow to red

Bloom:

White

Bloom Time:

April to May

Shape:

Rounded

Bark:

Brown to black, scaly edges

Sun:

Full sun to part shade

Zone:

Zone 3 to Zone 9

Size:

50 to 80 feet

Spread:

30 to 60 feet

Care:

Medium, well drained soil

The Black Cherry is the largest of the United States’ native cherry trees, and is widespread throughout North and South America. A woody plant of the Rosaeae family, an older Prunus Serotina can be easily distinguished by its extremely furrowed and dark bark (which resembles thick flakes of burnt cornflakes). The Black Cherry also characterized by its gleaming tapered leaves, wonderfully aromatic with an almond-like scent, as well as its drooping white racemes of blossoms and its dark dainty berries.

Reaching surprising heights of 50-80 ft. with a spread of approximately 30-60 ft., this species has a rounded crown and deciduous dark green foliage. With a 3-9 hardiness zone rating, the Black Cherry thrives with full sun to partial shade, flourishing best within medium well-drained soils. Known to survive over 250 years, it is prone to breakage from storm damage, and is susceptible to pests (particularly the eastern tent caterpillar and cherry scallop shell moth) and fungal diseases. Seed production begins after a decade of age, around the time when the Black Cherry’s smooth thin bark begins to darken and flake.

The Black Cherry’s white blossoms begin peeking out from between its glossy dark leaves in April and May, giving way to dark crimson berries in August that have ripen to a rich red-black by October. The Black Cherry is an aromatic tree, with a rum-like cherry scent emitting from its crushed leaves or bark. The leaves and wood are toxic (containing amygdalin and glycoside), and thus fallen or wilted leaves should be kept away from livestock. The species’ fruit is edible and coveted for the making of various foods, jams, and drinks. Its sap also has medicinal properties; wild cherry syrup is a cough medicine obtained from the bark. The tree’s timber is prized as a strong, close-grained, and workable wood; due to its structure and its warm reddish-brown tones, the Black Cherry’s timber is heralded as one of the most valued cabinet and furniture woods in North America.